Sensor-less circuits and related methods for back emf zero crossing detection

ABSTRACT

A sensor-less detection circuit includes a first voltage adjustment circuit providing a first output voltage at a first node using one of three input voltages. A second voltage adjustment circuit provides a second output voltage at a second node using all three, or only two, of the three input voltages. The second voltage adjustment circuit acts as an internal virtual neutral point for detecting a zero crossing event of the motor. A differential amplifier is coupled with the first and second nodes and outputs a third output voltage at a third node. A reference buffer has a reference voltage input and provides a fourth output voltage at a fourth node. A comparator is coupled with the third and fourth nodes and outputs a fifth output voltage at a fifth node, the fifth voltage indicating a zero cross event.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/837,575 entitled “Sensor-less Circuits andRelated Methods for Back EMF Zero Crossing Detection” to Satoshi Yokoo,now pending, which was filed on Apr. 1, 2020, which application claimsthe benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/916,448, entitled “Sensor-less Circuits for Back EMF ZeroCrossing Detection,” naming as first inventor Satoshi Yokoo, which wasfiled on Oct. 17, 2019, the disclosures of each of which are herebyincorporated entirely herein by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

Aspects of this document relate generally to circuits and methods forback electromotive force (BEMF) zero crossing detection.

2. Background

Three-phase motors use electricity applied to the motor in threedifferent phases to rotate the motor. The phases ordinarily involveseparate electrical connections and are commonly referred to as the Uphase, V phase, and W phase.

SUMMARY

Implementations of sensor-less detection circuits may include: a firstvoltage adjustment circuit configured for providing a first outputvoltage, at a first node, using one of a first input voltage, a secondinput voltage, and a third input voltage; a second voltage adjustmentcircuit configured for providing a second output voltage, at a secondnode, using the first input voltage, the second input voltage, and thethird input voltage; a differential amplifier having a first inputcoupled with the first node and a second input coupled with the secondnode and configured for providing a third output voltage at a thirdnode; a reference buffer having a reference voltage input and configuredfor providing a fourth output voltage at a fourth node; and a comparatorhaving a first input coupled with the third node and a second inputcoupled with the fourth node and configured for providing a fifth outputvoltage at a fifth node; wherein the sensor-less detection circuit isconfigured to detect a zero crossing event of a three-phase motor.

Implementations of sensor-less detection circuits may include one, all,or any of the following:

The sensor-less detection circuit may not use a Hall-effect sensor.

The first voltage adjustment circuit may include a plurality ofresistive voltage dividers each including a first resistor having afirst resistance and a second resistor having a second resistance.

The second voltage adjustment circuit may include a plurality ofresistive voltage dividers each including a third resistor and a fourthresistor. Each third resistor may have a third resistance three timesthe first resistance and each fourth resistor may have a fourthresistance three times the second resistance.

The first voltage adjustment circuit may include a plurality of firstswitches. Each first switch may have a fifth resistance.

The second voltage adjustment circuit may include a plurality of secondswitches. Each second switch may have a sixth resistance three times thefifth resistance.

The first node may be connected with the third node through at least oneresistor not included in the differential amplifier.

The second node may be connected with the fourth node through at leastone resistor not included in the differential amplifier or thecomparator.

The second voltage adjustment circuit may include an internal virtualneutral point.

Implementations of sensor-less detection circuits may include: a firstvoltage adjustment circuit configured for providing a first outputvoltage, at a first node, using one of a first input voltage, a secondinput voltage, and a third input voltage; a second voltage adjustmentcircuit configured for providing a second output voltage, at a secondnode, using two of the first input voltage, the second input voltage,and the third input voltage; a differential amplifier having a firstinput coupled with the first node and a second input coupled with thesecond node and configured for providing a third output voltage at athird node; a reference buffer having a reference voltage input andconfigured for providing a fourth output voltage at a fourth node; and acomparator having a first input coupled with the third node and a secondinput coupled with the fourth node and configured for providing a fifthoutput voltage at a fifth node; wherein the sensor-less detectioncircuit is configured to detect a zero crossing event of a three-phasemotor.

Implementations of sensor-less detection circuits may include one, all,or any of the following:

The sensor-less detection circuit may not use a Hall-effect sensor.

The first voltage adjustment circuit may include a plurality ofresistive voltage dividers each including include a first resistorhaving a first resistance and a second resistor having a secondresistance.

The second voltage adjustment circuit may include a plurality ofresistive voltage dividers each including a third resistor and a fourthresistor. Each third resistor may have a third resistance twice thefirst resistance and each fourth resistor may have a fourth resistancetwice the second resistance.

The first voltage adjustment circuit may include a plurality of firstswitches each having a fifth resistance.

The second voltage adjustment circuit may include a plurality of secondswitches each having a sixth resistance twice the fifth resistance.

The first node may be connected with the third node through at least oneresistor not included in the differential amplifier.

The second node may be connected with the fourth node through at leastone resistor not included in the differential amplifier or thecomparator.

The second voltage adjustment circuit may include an internal virtualneutral point.

Implementations of methods of sensor-less detection of a zero crossingpoint of a three-phase motor may include: electrically coupling a firstvoltage adjustment circuit with a three-phase brushless direct current(BLDC) motor and, using one of a first input voltage, a second inputvoltage, and a third input voltage, providing a first output voltage ata first node using the first voltage adjustment circuit; electricallycoupling a second voltage adjustment circuit with the BLDC motor and,using at least two of the first input voltage, the second input voltage,and the third input voltage, providing a second output voltage at asecond node using the second voltage adjustment circuit; electricallycoupling a first input of a differential amplifier with the first node,electrically coupling a second input of the differential amplifier withthe second node, and, using the differential amplifier, providing athird output voltage at a third node; providing a reference bufferhaving a reference voltage input, the reference buffer providing afourth output voltage at a fourth node; and electrically coupling afirst input of a comparator with the third node, electrically coupling asecond input of the comparator with the fourth node, and, using thecomparator, providing a fifth output voltage at a fifth node; whereinthe fifth output voltage indicates a zero crossing event of the BLDCmotor.

Implementations of methods of sensor-less detection of a zero crossingpoint of a three-phase motor may include one, all, or any of thefollowing:

Providing the second output voltage at the second node using the secondvoltage adjustment circuit may include using all three of the firstinput voltage, the second input voltage, and the third input voltage.

The first voltage adjustment circuit may include a plurality ofresistive voltage dividers each including a first resistor having afirst resistance and a second resistor having a second resistance.

The second voltage adjustment circuit may include a plurality ofresistive voltage dividers each including a third resistor having athird resistance and a fourth resistor having a fourth resistance. Thethird resistance may be twice or three times the first resistance andthe fourth resistance may be twice or three times the second resistance.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will beapparent to those artisans of ordinary skill in the art from theDESCRIPTION and DRAWINGS, and from the CLAIMS.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations will hereinafter be described in conjunction with theappended drawings, where like designations denote like elements, and:

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram representatively illustrating animplementation of a sensor-less circuit for BEMF zero crossingdetection;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram representatively illustrating anotherimplementation of a sensor-less circuit for BEMF zero crossingdetection;

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram representatively illustrating anotherimplementation of a sensor-less circuit for BEMF zero crossingdetection; and

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram representatively illustrating a controllercircuit for a three-phase motor, the controller circuit including asensor-less circuit for BEMF zero crossing detection.

DESCRIPTION

This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not limited to thespecific components, assembly procedures or method elements disclosedherein. Many additional components, assembly procedures and/or methodelements known in the art consistent with the intended sensor-lesscircuits and related methods for back EMF zero crossing detection willbecome apparent for use with particular implementations from thisdisclosure. Accordingly, for example, although particularimplementations are disclosed, such implementations and implementingcomponents may comprise any shape, size, style, type, model, version,measurement, concentration, material, quantity, method element, step,and/or the like as is known in the art for such sensor-less circuits andrelated methods for back EMF zero crossing detection, and implementingcomponents and methods, consistent with the intended operation andmethods.

During the operation of a three phase motor, for example at startup andat other times during operation, the motor controller needs to detectthe position and rotation speed of the rotor of the motor. Accuratelydoing so may allow for precise motor control by adjusting the timing ofan applied supply voltage to the motor windings. In some motors, Hallsensors may be used to detect the rotor position, but for sensor-lessmotors, the position may be detected using a back electromotive force(BEMF) signal, such as by comparing the BEMF signal with a voltage todetermine when the motor crosses the zero point (a zero crossing event).Back electromotive force (BEMF) zero crossing detection is used todetermine the position of the rotor of the motor relative to the statorof the motor at a given point in time. Being able to repeatedlydetermine the position of the rotor relative to the stator allows foraccurate timing in energizing the different windings of the motor forefficient operation of the motor.

Implementations of sensor-less circuits for BEMF zero crossing detectiondisclosed herein detect a zero crossing point of a rotor of athree-phase motor without the use of Hall sensors. Particularimplementations of sensor-less circuits for BEMF zero crossing detectiondisclosed herein also exclude, or move, a virtual neutral point.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an implementation of a sensor-less circuit(circuit) 2 for BEMF zero crossing detection is illustrated. The circuitis coupled with a motor which in this implementation is a three-phasebrushless direct current (BLDC) motor (motor) 4 powered by a supplyvoltage VCC through pulse width modulation (PWM) using six transistorcombinations. The transistors are configured/operated such that, at anygiven time during operation of the motor, two of the motor windings arePWM driven while the third winding is unpowered. A BEMF signal isgenerated in the non-energized winding as it rotates through the motor'smagnetic field, and this BEMF signal may be used to detect the zerocrossing point of the rotor without the use of Hall sensors.

In order to detect the zero crossing point, circuit 2 includes a virtualneutral point 6 which is formed by the use of three resistors RN.Resistive voltage dividers each including R1 and R2 resistors are thenused to attenuate the Phase U, Phase V, Phase W and COM voltages tolower voltages such as 5 V or 3.3 V. The analog, divided/reduced COMvoltage is fed into the inputs of each of three comparators, each ofwhich also receives one of the analog, divided/reduced voltages of PhaseU, Phase V, or Phase W. Each comparator is coupled with a supply voltageVDD and flips its output when the analog, divided/reduced COM voltagecrosses the point where it is equal to the other input voltage of thatcomparator, which other input voltage will be the BEMF signal of thenon-energized winding. In this way, the BEMF signal is used to detect azero crossing point, and this information may be fed back to thetransistors to adjust the timing of the supply of VCC to the windingsusing PWM. An example signal is illustrated to the right of the topmostcomparator, representatively illustrating how the signal from eachcomparator may toggle between a first value and a second value.

For sensor-less BEMF detection it is desirable for the circuit to havelow current consumption and high accuracy. For the circuit of FIG. 1, toachieve low current consumption it would be desirable to configure theRN resistors with the highest resistance possible. To achieve highaccuracy of the BEMF detection with the circuit of FIG. 1, however, itwould be desirable to configure the RN resistors with the lowestpossible resistance. These goals are accordingly at odds with oneanother.

In order to perform sensor-less BEMF detection of the zero crossingusing the circuit of FIG. 1, ideally the virtual neutral point 6 and themotor middle point COM would have the same voltage so that the BEMFvoltage and the motor middle point voltage are exactly equal when thecircuit indicates a zero crossing. The lower the resistances of RNresistors the more this ideal can be approached but, as indicated, doingthis increases the current consumption. A mismatch voltage isaccordingly generated between the motor middle point COM and the virtualneutral point 6. VCC in the example of FIG. 1 is 48 V, the voltage atthe motor middle point COM is 24 V, R1+R2=100 kohm, and RN=1 kohm. Thevirtual neutral point voltage may be calculated as follows:

$V = {{\frac{VCC}{2} \times \frac{{R1} + {R2}}{\frac{RN}{3} + {R\; 1} + {R\; 2}}} = {23.92027\mspace{14mu} V}}$

The above calculation results in a voltage mismatch ΔCOM of −79.73 mV.The RN current may be calculated as follows:

$I = {\frac{{VCC} - {{Virtual}\mspace{14mu}{Neutral}\mspace{14mu}{Point}}}{RN} = {\frac{{48} - {2{3.9}2027}}{1k} = {2{4.0}7973\mspace{14mu}{mA}}}}$

Accordingly, high accuracy BEMF zero cross detection cannot be performedas the resistance values of RN are increased. As the resistances aredecreased the current consumption also increases.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which representatively illustratesanother implementation of a sensor-less circuit (circuit) 8 for BEMFzero crossing detection. Circuit 8 is coupled with a three-phasebrushless direct current (BLDC) motor (motor) 10. The resistors RN havebeen entirely removed and instead an “internal virtual neutral point” 12is formed using resistive voltage dividers 14 and other resistors andswitches, as will be explained. Resistors R1 and R2 form voltagedividers which are each coupled with one of nodes N1, N2, N3 to providea divided/reduced voltage at nodes N4, N5 and N6. Each of nodes N4-N6 isselectively coupled with node N10 through a resistor Rs and one of theselect switches (SW) 16, and one or more elements not shown on thecircuit diagram are used to select which select switch SW is in theclosed configuration. The switch that is in the closed configurationpasses the divided/reduced, analog BEMF voltage signal to node N10 asone input of the differential amplifier 18.

FIG. 2 shows only one of the switches SW in the closed configuration,and indeed at any given time only one of the phase voltages will bepassed to node N10 to provide the BEMF signal for that phase, but theswitches SW may be closed/opened in sequence, with one at a time in theclosed configuration, to sequentially detect zero crossing points usingthe BEMF signal of each winding. When any given switch SW is closed, forexample the Phase U switch SW, since the other two switches SW areopened the other two Phase signals (in this case Phase V and Phase W) donot affect the voltage signal at node N10.

Referring back to nodes N1, N2 and N3, resistors 3R1 and 3R2 formvoltage dividers which are each coupled with one of the nodes N1-N3 toprovide a divided/reduced voltage at nodes N7, N8 and N9. Each of nodesN7-N9 is coupled with node N11 through a resistor 3Rs and switch 3SW.The switches 3SW are all shown in the closed configuration, and indeedthey are to remain in the closed configuration permanently so that eachof the voltages at N7-N9 affects the voltage at N11. The voltage signalat node N11 is the other input of the differential amplifier 18.

The resistive voltage dividers formed by resistors 3R1 and 3R2, and theresistors 3Rs and switches 3SW, along with connecting elements, form theinternal virtual neutral point 12. The internal virtual neutral point 12allows node N11 to have a voltage representative of the motor midpointvoltage COM, but without using the prior Y-connected resistors RN of theFIG. 1 circuit. This allows the circuit of FIG. 2 to detect the zerocrossing without reducing accuracy due to the RN resistors. The 3R1,3R2, and 3Rs resistors in the FIG. 2 circuit are configured to havethree times the resistance of the R1, R2, and Rs resistors,respectively, and the 3SW switches are configured to have three timesthe resistance of the SW switches, to more accurately represent the BEMFsignal and the COM signal at the N10 and N11 nodes, respectively, asinputs to the differential amplifier 18. The use of each 3SW switch is,accordingly, only to provide a resistance matching three times theresistance of the SW switch, and it is for this reason that the 3SWswitches are included in the circuit even though they always remain inthe closed configuration.

The internal virtual neutral point signal side and the BEMF signal sideare accordingly separated and the three phases on the internal virtualneutral point side are connected in parallel. The resistance on eachparallel line on the internal virtual neutral point side (including theresistance of the resistors and the resistance of the switches) isaccordingly three times that on the BEMF side. This is done to moreaccurately detect when the zero crossing occurs. The voltage input tothe differential amplifier 18 from each parallel line of the internalvirtual neutral point 12 is thus reduced or “burned” by three times whatthe voltage input from the BEMF signal is burned at, so that the inputvoltage values on the input lines to the differential amplifier arematched. The differential amplifier 18 can then accurately signal whenthe voltage value from the virtual internal neutral point 12 and BEMFside alternate between equal and unequal, thus signaling the zerocrossing point.

A reference buffer 20 is also illustrated in FIG. 2, which is a voltagefollower having a supply voltage VDD and a reference voltage VREF. Theoutput of the reference buffer is coupled with node N13, which is aninput to a comparator 22. The output of the differential amplifier 18 isthe other input to the comparator 22, so that the input voltages of thecomparator are the voltages at nodes N12 and N13, while the comparator(and the differential amplifier) are also supplied with supply voltageVDD. The reference voltage VREF is used to provide an appropriatevoltage input at node N13 so that, when the output voltage from thedifferential amplifier 18 at node N12 switches between equal with thevoltage at N13 and unequal with the voltage at N13, the comparator cansend a signal that the zero crossing has been detected.

The resistive voltage dividers may be adjusted so that the voltagelevels provided to the differential amplifier are within its operationrange and otherwise to adjust for the rating of the low-voltage elementsof the circuit. High voltage signals may be attenuated to low voltagessuch as 5 V or 3.3 V using the resistive voltage dividers themselves, sothat the circuit may be used to detect the zero crossing even on highvoltage motors. The circuit of FIG. 2 also allows for BEMF zero crossingdetection across a wide range of voltages, from negative voltages topositive voltages, using the resistive voltage dividers and thedifferential amplifier.

The attenuation ratio may be determined/configured as follows:

${{Attenuation}\mspace{14mu}{Ratio}} = \frac{R2}{{R1} + {R2}}$

The resistance of Ro may be tailored as follows:

${Ro} = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{R\; 1} + \frac{1}{R2}}$

Resistors Ro and Rf are provided between nodes N10 and N12 and alsobetween nodes N11 and N13, respectively, to tailor the gain and providea low pass filter, such as for common-mode noise rejection, which can bean advantage of receiving the BEMF signal and internal virtual neutralpoint signal as differential inputs to the differential amplifier. Thegain of the differential amplifier 18 may be tailored as follows, whereRSW is the resistance of the switch SW:

${{{Diff}.{Amp}}\mspace{14mu}{Gain}} = \frac{{Rf} + {Ro}}{{Rs} + {Ro} + {RSW}}$

The total gain is the attenuation ratio multiplied by the differentialamplifier gain.

The comparator 22 of FIG. 2 may detect the zero crossing, using the BEMFvoltage of one of the phases, without being affected by any variation inthe reference buffer 20 output because the reference buffer amplifieroutput is coupled with both inputs of the comparator, through node N13and through the differential amplifier 18 to node N12. A referencevoltage error thus will not affect the high accuracy BEMF zero crossingdetection due to the common use by the differential amplifier 18 of thesame reference voltage as the comparator 22.

With the circuit of FIG. 2 the differential amplifier 18 output is thesame as the reference buffer 20 output at the time of zero crossing.

FIG. 3 representatively illustrates another implementation of asensor-less circuit (circuit) 24 for back EMF zero crossing detection.Circuit 24 is coupled with a three-phase brushless direct current (BLDC)motor (motor) 26 and is identical to the circuit of FIG. 2 except thatthe internal virtual neutral point 28 uses two phase voltage inputsinstead of all three. On the BEMF side the Phase U switch is illustratedas closed so that the BEMF signal from Phase U is selected to be inputthrough node N10 to the differential amplifier. On the internal virtualneutral point side the switches corresponding with the other two phases,Phase V and Phase W, are closed while the switch corresponding with thePhase U signal is open. Because only two phase signals are used for theinternal virtual neutral point side, the resistors on the internalvirtual neutral point side are only double that of the resistors on theBEMF side, instead of triple as with the FIG. 2 circuit. Accordingly,the resistors 2R1 and 2R2 of the voltage dividers of the virtualinternal neutral point 28 are each double the resistance of the R1 andR2 resistors, respectively, of the voltage dividers of the BEMF side,the 2Rs resistors are double the resistance of the Rs resistors, and the2SW switches are double the resistance of the SW switches.

FIG. 3 illustrates that each selection signal (selectable phase) thatsignals the opening/closing of one of the BEMF side switches SW iscoupled with the virtual neutral point switch 2SW of the same phasethrough an inverter. Accordingly, the corresponding 2SW switch on theinternal virtual neutral point side is closed/opened, so that when theBEMF side switch is open for a phase the same phase's virtual neutralpoint side switch is closed, and vice versa. During operation of thecircuit of FIG. 3 the switches may be sequentially cycled on and off, asdiscussed above with respect to the circuit of FIG. 2.

With the circuit of FIG. 3 the differential amplifier output is the sameas the reference buffer output at the time of zero crossing.

The circuits of FIGS. 2 and 3 may detect zero crossing using the BEMFsignal of a three phase BLDC motor while one winding is in a high-Z(high inductance) state and two phases are PWM driven or while allphases are high-Z.

For the circuits shown in the drawings, any portion of a circuit whichreceives one or more input voltages and outputs one or more adjustedoutput voltages may be called a “voltage adjustment circuit.” Forexample, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, on the BEMF side any combination ofSW switches, Rs resistors, and/or resistive voltage dividers whichreceives one or more input voltages and outputs one or more adjustedoutput voltages may be referred to as a voltage adjustment circuit.Accordingly, any of the following combinations of circuit elements maybe accurately called a voltage adjustment circuit: one or more resistivevoltage dividers, one or more Rs resistors, one or more SW switches, oneor more SW switches plus one or more Rs resistors, or one or more Rsresistors plus one or more resistive voltage dividers, or one or moreresistive voltage dividers plus one or more Rs resistors plus one ormore SW switches. Similarly, on the internal virtual neutral point sideof the FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 circuits, any combination of the resistivevoltage dividers, 3Rs/2Rs resistors, and/or 3SW/2SW switches may becalled a voltage adjustment circuit.

As further examples, referring to FIG. 2, sensor-less detection circuit8 may be said to include a first voltage adjustment circuit whichincludes the top three resistive voltage dividers (formed from R1 and R2resistors), the three Rs resistors, and the three SW switches. The firstvoltage adjustment circuit provides an output voltage, at N10, usingonly one of the three input voltages (Phase U, V, W voltages). Circuit 8may also be said to include a second voltage adjustment circuit whichincludes the bottom three resistive voltage dividers (formed from 3R1and 3R2 resistors), the three 3Rs resistors, and the three 3SW switches.The second voltage adjustment circuit provides an output voltage, atN11, using all three of the three input voltages (Phase U, V, Wvoltages).

Furthermore, referring to FIG. 3, sensor-less detection circuit 24 maybe said to include a first voltage adjustment circuit which includes thetop three resistive voltage dividers (formed from R1 and R2 resistors),the three Rs resistors, and the three SW switches. The first voltageadjustment circuit provides an output voltage, at N10, using only one ofthe three input voltages (Phase U, V, W voltages). Circuit 24 may alsobe said to include a second voltage adjustment circuit which includesthe bottom three resistive voltage dividers (formed from 2R1 and 2R2resistors), the three 2Rs resistors, and the three 2SW switches. Thesecond voltage adjustment circuit provides an output voltage, at N11,using only two of the three input voltages (Phase U, V, W voltages).

Each element of the circuits, such as resistors, switches, differentialamplifiers, comparators, and so forth may be described as having atleast two terminals (and three terminals in the case of the differentialamplifier, reference buffer and comparator), each terminal of eachelement being connected with one of the nodes of the circuit.

The voltages discussed herein may be termed “input” and “output”voltages. For example, referring to FIGS. 2-3 the voltages (phasevoltages and BEMF voltage) of nodes N1-N3 may all be termed inputvoltages to the resistive dividers and the divided/reduced voltages ofnodes N4-N9 each may be termed output voltages of or from the resistivedividers. The voltages at nodes N10 and N11 are output voltages of theswitches (SW, 3SW, 2SW) (the voltage at node N11 may be at leastpartially an output voltage of the switches 2SW/3SW and also at leastpartially an output voltage of the Ro resistor between nodes N11 andN13, in implementations). The voltages at nodes N10 and N11 are alsoinput voltages to the differential amplifier. The voltage at node N12 isan output voltage of/from the differential amplifier (the voltage atnode N12 may be at least partially an output voltage of the differentialamplifier and also at least partially an output voltage of the Rfresistor between nodes N10 and N12, in implementations). The voltage atnode N12 is also an input voltage to the comparator. The voltage at nodeN13 is an output voltage of the reference buffer (the voltage at nodeN13 may be at least partially an output voltage of the reference bufferand also at least partially an output voltage of the Rf resistor betweenthe N11 and N13 nodes, in implementations). The voltage at node N13 isalso an input voltage to the comparator, and so forth.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a controller integrated circuit (IC) 30 thatmay include one or more of the sensor-less circuit elements disclosedherein. The controller IC is shown having I/O terminals such as UH,UOUT, VH, VOUT, WH, etc., which may be implemented as contact pads,pins, leads, etc. The control IC is coupled with a three-phase brushlessdirect current (BLDC) motor (motor) 32. The COM node is seen to have an“external” virtual neutral point 34. The current consumption of thecontroller/detection circuit may be reduced by modifying it to use aninternal virtual neutral point within the controller IC itself, such asthose disclosed in FIGS. 2-3, and the number of components and ICterminals/pins may be correspondingly reduced, as well.

The virtual neutral points of the circuits of FIGS. 2 and 3, being“internal” neutral points as opposed to the “external” neutral point ofthe FIG. 1 circuit, may reduce current consumption. The circuits ofFIGS. 2-3 may allow for detection of the zero crossing even when themotor midpoint is not provided and without the use of an externalvirtual neutral point. The circuits may allow for high accuracysensor-less zero cross detection in three phase BLDC motor drivers, evenat high voltages, while consuming low power.

In implementations all of the components of the circuits disclosedherein are located within an integrated circuit (IC) of a semiconductordevice, with the IC being electrically coupled with a three-phase BLDCmotor as represented in the drawings to allow for control of the motorby the IC and to allow for back EMF zero crossing detection by the IC.The circuits disclosed herein may be used in a variety of industries,such as 48 V supply voltage for 5G telecom and automotive applicationsand BLDC motors which use a maximum operating voltage of about 100 V.

In places where the description above refers to particularimplementations of sensor-less circuits and related methods for back EMFzero crossing detection and implementing components, sub-components,methods and sub-methods, it should be readily apparent that a number ofmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof andthat these implementations, implementing components, sub-components,methods and sub-methods may be applied to other sensor-less circuits andrelated methods for back EMF zero crossing-detection.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sensor-less detection circuit, comprising: afirst voltage adjustment circuit configured for providing a first outputvoltage, at a first node, using one of a first input voltage, a secondinput voltage, or a third input voltage; a second voltage adjustmentcircuit configured for providing a second output voltage, at a secondnode, using at least two of the first input voltage, the second inputvoltage, or the third input voltage; and a plurality of resistivevoltage dividers; wherein the second voltage adjustment circuitcomprises an internal virtual neutral point; and wherein the sensor-lessdetection circuit is configured to detect a zero crossing event of athree-phase motor.
 2. The sensor-less detection circuit of claim 1,wherein the first voltage adjustment circuit comprises the plurality ofresistive voltage dividers, wherein each resistive voltage divider ofthe first voltage adjustment circuit comprises a first resistor having afirst resistance and a second resistor having a second resistance. 3.The sensor-less detection circuit of claim 2, wherein the second voltageadjustment circuit comprises the plurality of resistive voltagedividers, wherein each resistive voltage divider of the second voltageadjustment circuit each comprises a third resistor and a fourthresistor, wherein each third resistor comprises a third resistance threetimes the first resistance and wherein each fourth resistor comprises afourth resistance three times the second resistance.
 4. The sensor-lessdetection circuit of claim 1, wherein the first voltage adjustmentcircuit comprises a plurality of first switches, each first switchcomprising a fifth resistance.
 5. The sensor-less detection circuit ofclaim 4, wherein the second voltage adjustment circuit comprises aplurality of second switches each comprising a sixth resistance threetimes the fifth resistance.
 6. The sensor-less detection circuit ofclaim 1, further comprising a differential amplifier having a firstinput coupled with the first node and a second input coupled with thesecond node.
 7. The sensor-less detection circuit of claim 6, whereinthe differential amplifier is configured to provide a third outputvoltage at a third node.
 8. The sensor-less detection circuit of claim6, further comprising a reference buffer coupled with the differentialamplifier.
 9. A sensor-less detection circuit, comprising: a firstvoltage adjustment circuit configured for providing a first outputvoltage, at a first node, using one of a first input voltage, a secondinput voltage, or a third input voltage; a second voltage adjustmentcircuit configured for providing a second output voltage, at a secondnode, using at least two of the first input voltage, the second inputvoltage, or the third input voltage; and a differential amplifier havinga first input coupled with the first node and a second input coupledwith the second node and configured for providing a third output voltageat a third node; wherein the second voltage adjustment circuit comprisesan internal virtual neutral point; wherein the first voltage adjustmentcircuit comprises a plurality of resistive voltage dividers; wherein thesecond voltage adjustment circuit comprise the plurality of resistivevoltage dividers; and wherein the sensor-less detection circuit isconfigured to detect a zero crossing event of a three-phase motor. 10.The sensor-less detection circuit of claim 9, wherein each resistivevoltage divider of the first voltage adjustment circuit comprises afirst resistor having a first resistance and a second resistor having asecond resistance.
 11. The sensor-less detection circuit of claim 10,wherein each resistive voltage divider of the second voltage adjustmentcircuit comprises a third resistor and a fourth resistor, wherein eachthird resistor comprises a third resistance twice the first resistanceand wherein each fourth resistor comprises a fourth resistance twice thesecond resistance.
 12. The sensor-less detection circuit of claim 9,wherein the first voltage adjustment circuit comprises a plurality offirst switches each comprising a fifth resistance.
 13. The sensor-lessdetection circuit of claim 12, wherein the second voltage adjustmentcircuit comprises a plurality of second switches each comprising a sixthresistance twice the fifth resistance.
 14. The sensor-less detectioncircuit of claim 9, wherein the first node is connected with the thirdnode through at least one resistor.
 15. The sensor-less detectioncircuit of claim 9, further comprising a reference buffer having areference voltage input and configured for providing a fourth outputvoltage at a fourth node.
 16. The sensor-less detection circuit of claim15, wherein the second node is connected with the fourth node through atleast one resistor.
 17. A method of sensor-less detection of a zerocrossing event of a three-phase motor, comprising: electrically couplinga first voltage adjustment circuit with a three-phase brushless directcurrent (BLDC) motor and, using one of a first input voltage, a secondinput voltage, or a third input voltage, providing a first outputvoltage at a first node using the first voltage adjustment circuit;electrically coupling a second voltage adjustment circuit with the BLDCmotor and, using at least two of the first input voltage, the secondinput voltage, or the third input voltage, providing a second outputvoltage at a second node using the second voltage adjustment circuit;and electrically coupling a first input of a differential amplifier withthe first node, electrically coupling a second input of the differentialamplifier with the second node, and, using the differential amplifier,providing a third output voltage at a third node; wherein the firstvoltage adjustment circuit comprises a plurality of resistive voltagedividers; and wherein the second voltage adjustment circuit comprises aninternal virtual neutral point.
 18. The method of claim 17, whereinproviding the second output voltage at the second node using the secondvoltage adjustment circuit comprises using all three of the first inputvoltage, the second input voltage, and the third input voltage.
 19. Themethod of claim 17, wherein each resistive voltage divider of the firstvoltage adjustment circuit comprises a first resistor having a firstresistance and a second resistor having a second resistance.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, wherein the second voltage adjustment circuitcomprises the plurality of resistive voltage dividers, each resistivevoltage divider of the second voltage adjustment circuit comprising athird resistor having a third resistance and a fourth resistor having afourth resistance, wherein the third resistance is one of twice andthree times the first resistance, and wherein the fourth resistance isone of twice and three times the second resistance.